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With special thanks to Create Studios, Brighton.
Dawson Denim is Kelly Dawson and Scott Ogden. Inspired by our mutual passion for vintage fashion and motors, has lead us to building our own specialist denim workshop in Brighton. In 2012 we launched our first range of workwear aprons, inspired by actual garments from the 1930’s to 1960’s. We simply aim to produce the best Workwear we can using 15 years experience of working with denim. All of our products are hand made in our workshop in Brighton, Great Britain. This year sees our very first Jeans, made from Japanese red line selvage, British leather and original British deadstock pocketing from WW2. We use Red line Selvage from Japan, the red in Selvage was introduced around the 1930’s to denote the highest quality. The mill we work with is family run and is over100 years old. Selvage or Self-edge is also the oldest, most authentic denim woven on the original looms. Our quality is woven on Toyoda looms built in the 1920’s each loom is man operated and can only produce around 100 metres a day. The fabric is dyed 16 times. We use original machinery developed specifically for denim production for example the 43200g Union Special Hemmer dated 1959 or our Chain stitch button hole machine; the same style of machine has been in production since the 1890’s. All of this gives a very individual and hand crafted feel to each garment. Each piece comes with a “log book” which is our Durability Guarantee. It is inspired by Scott’s Grandad Ogden’s driving license from 1930, a document from the golden age of motoring.The ideal of being built to last has long been forgotten but we are proud to offer a free repair service with each of our products, this is done by hand in our workshop.
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M a d e i n G r e a t B r i t a i n. REGULAR FIT JEANS .
Dawson Denim Regular fit Jeans, 14.25 oz Japanese Red Line Selvage, Copper washer and nail rivets, steel die cast buttons, two prong nail fly buttons, Hidden Rivets, splayed back pockets, chrome undyed British Leather patch which is branded by hand. PolyCotton core spun threads developed specifically for use on heavy weight denim. Union Special 1959 chain stitched hem. Durability guaranteed.
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We use vintage Union Special sewing machines specifically designed for denim garment manufacture. The cover stitch machine we use on our belt loops is dated to 1957 and the hemmer is from1959, we use original manufacturing techniques. All our patches are British leather, branded by hand making each one unique. All our trims are branded even the hidden rivets on the back pockets. The log book is the durability gurantee which entitles the owner to a free repair service, this was inspired by Scott’s Grandad Ogden’s 1930’s driving licence.
Towards the end of the war many sheds throughout Britain were turned into manufacturing units to make supplies for the war effort but by 1945 there was a huge surplus of perfectly durable fabric. We have been lucky enough to source this khaki pocketing brand new, direct from 1945 it’s in perfect condition so each one of our jeans has a slice of British History. You may be lucky enough to get the pocket with the original stamp.
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M a d e i n G r e a t B r i t a i n. WORKWEAR APRONS
The Mechanic, Inspired by WW2 US issue mechanic apron. This is a mid length apron made from 13.75 oz Japanese brown weft denim and has a tie detail which fixes across the back for a secure and comfortable fit.
The Pinny, inspired by a duck (canvas) apron from the 1930’s printed for a lumber yard, this is the shortest of all our Aprons and the neck tie is fixed. Die cast buttons, leather tabs and copper rivets.
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The Mercantile, This length of apron was popularised by workers in general stores during the 1950’s when it was mandatory to wear a shirt and tie to work, when you worked with dusty goods it was perfect for protection. This style has two lower pockets, a lower dagger pocket which is reinforced and the cross back ties. 13.75 oz Japanese red line selvage.
The Barista, we designed this specifically for our hard working Barista’s in Coffee shops. 13.75 oz denim, one lower pocket and adjustable neck tie.
The Hinged Pocket Mercantile, the pocket moves with you so no more dropping that phone out of your top pocket. With a large lower pocket and D-Ring attached with Italian saddle leather, hemmed on our 1959 Union Special Chain stitch hemmer.
The Carpenter Belt, multi pocket belt style apron bound in heavy natural cotton webbing. 13.75 oz Japanese red selvage denim, copper grommets.
The Trader, Small two bellow pocket apron.
The Helmet Bag, designed for our own use to carry our open faced helmets, fully lined in french pillow stripe and heavy brass zip with Italian vegetable dyed leather
Utility roll, inspired by the M10 made for mechanics during WW2 multi pockets and flap lined with french pillow stripe and fastened with selvage strap and copper rivet.
Notes and references.
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Special thanks to Scott Fraser Simpson, Hayley Browne, Simon Bridger, Kenny McKracken, Matt “Ringer” Ring, Alida Bea and Beth Steddon. Also to David and Sheila Ogden, Peter and Shirley Dawson for all your support.